Transactions with the Octopus card complete on average in 0.3 seconds. Do know that this card was designed to be used on fare gates, so it has to do the work fast. Imagine everyone picking up their phones, launch the app, and tap the button to show the QR code, then place the code towards the scanner. It would take forever. Plus, purchasing a card only cost $6.4, which is refundable when you return your card. That is why I am against tying the system to smartphones, even if it is decentralized.

There was a comprehensive guide to using the Octopus card - in a 30-second commercial. You would understand how it works even if you don't understand Cantonese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIK-aGBgr7M

In addition, because of its anonymous nature, each person can hold more than one card. It was estimated in 2017 that every Hongkonger in average holds 5 of these cards.

Transactions with the Octopus card complete on average in 0.3 seconds. Do know that this card was designed to be used on fare gates, so it has to do the work fast. Imagine everyone picking up their phones, launch the app, and tap the button to show the QR code, then place the code in front of the scanner. It would take forever. Plus, purchasing a card only cost $6.4, which is refundable when you return your card. That is why I am against tying the system to smartphones, even if it is decentralized.

There was a comprehensive guide to using the Octopus card - in a 30-second commercial. You would understand how it works even if you don't understand Cantonese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIK-aGBgr7M

In addition, because of its anonymous nature, each person can hold more than one card. It was estimated in 2017 that every Hongkonger in average holds 5 of these cards.